ADAMSON seeks to exorcise the ghosts of the past when it takes on rival University of the Philippines on Sunday in the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Exiting last year's tourney in a heartbreaker, there's really nothing sweeter for the Soaring Falcons than to get back at the Fighting Maroons when they clash at 4 p.m.
But coach Franz Pumaren is wary of Adamson's form even after Jerrick Ahanmisi's 28-point outing in its 91-80 win over UE last Wednesday.
"If we’re gonna play this way, we’re gonna struggle. We might have a hard time with them," he said, obviously unhappy with the listless showing his wards had despite stringing back-to-back wins.
"We have to start playing the way that I envisioned this team. We just have to start the adjustment and I have to make the adjustment on what’s wrong us. Hopefully we can apply that."
Congolese big man Lenda Douanga and shooter Valandre Chauca will aid Ahanmisi in this battle.
UP, meanwhile, will finally unveil Kobe Paras in his first UAAP game as it aims to bounce back from its tough 85-69 defeat to UST last week.
Fighting Maroons coach Bo Perasol is hoping to quash everyone's worries as he finally gets to have a full roster at hand.
Bright Akhuetie, Ricci Rivero, and brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano are counted on top help UP rise from its 1-1 card.
In the curtain-raiser, University of Santo Tomas (2-1) seek a bounce back win at 2 p.m. against the hardluck National University (0-2).
The Growling Tigers showed tremendous heart before falling to Ateneo, 71-70, and coach Aldin Ayo wants to ride that wave of momentum as he banks on revelations Rhenz Abando, Mark Nonoy and Beninese forward Soulemane Chabi Yo.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs also want to end their streak of bad luck after suffering an 83-82 defeat to La Salle last Wednesday, with brothers Dave and Shaun Ildefonso counted on to lift NU to its first win.
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